Davis County lies just north of Salt Lake City, and is a collection of 15 towns and communities perched on a beautiful narrow corridor between the Great Salt Lake and the Wasatch Range. There are ample outdoor recreation opportunities and breathtaking natural landscapes to experience. The most popular attractions and activities in the area include Antelope Island, Lagoon Amusement Park, boating the Great Salt Lake, and skiing and snowboarding top notch resorts.
The population of Davis County is upwards of 300,000. Hill Air Force Base is a major employer in the area, while many residents commute to Salt Lake County or other areas for work. Although residents work in other areas, they don’t have to venture far for prime outdoor opportunities. The geography of Davis County and the lake effect weather of the Great Salt Lake guarantee a high average yearly snowfall in the valley and the mountains. In summer, temperatures are high but the climate is dry. There are nearby lakes and at least one major water park for cooling off.
Antelope Island State Park is a must see attraction in Davis County. 500 bison roam the island, which is the biggest of the Great Salt Lake. Pronghorn and bighorn sheep also share the habitat. Antelope Island is open for exploration all year long and can be accomplished many ways—hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. There is a vehicle entrance fee and a small fee for pedestrians and cyclists. Campsites are located nearby.
The two major ski resorts serving the area are Snowbasin and Powder Mountain. Snowbasin was the site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games Downhill and Super G events. The luxury resort provides 3,000 skiable acres and 3,000 vertical feet. Powder Mountain boasts the most skiable acres of terrain in the United States—at 7,000 acres. The resort is popular for both its groomed trails and untracked powder runs, with access to backcountry terrain via snowcat and helicopter. Davis County is also a short drive from numerous other major ski resorts just south of the county.
Lagoon Amusement Park is one of the primary family destinations along the Wasatch Front. It offers a wide range of rides such as extreme thrill roller coasters, children’s rides, a water park, games and shows, and seasonal theme attractions such as Frightmares! during Halloween. The park first opened in 1896 and has been a staple Utah attraction for most of the past century. It continues to operate an old wooden roller coaster originally built in 1921.
Davis County also provides arts, culture, and entertainment opportunities, as well as museums and historic sites. There are at least 9 golf courses and 15 community parks. A variety of shopping options are available at the Layton Hills Mall and in small, qauint shopping districts such as Bountiful Main Street. There are more than 20 lodging choices in the area. The Salt Lake International Airport and Downtown Salt Lake City are a short drive from Davis County. To learn more about Davis County, please select a topic of interest from the navigation bar on the left.
